Egypt’s military backs Mubarak

The statement by the Armed Forces Supreme Council is a blow to protesters who had hoped for Mubarak’s ouster. Crowds swell, but soldiers take no action to stop demonstrations.

Egypt’s military threw its weight Friday behind President Hosni Mubarak’s plan to stay in office through September elections while protesters fanned out to the presidential palace in Cairo and other key symbols of the authoritarian regime in a new push to force the leader to step down immediately.

The statement by the Armed Forces Supreme Council — its second in two days — was a blow to many protesters who had called on the military to take action to push out Mubarak after his latest refusal to step down. LINK HERE